Little Liar

Malachi recalls that the guards in prison thought he was “insane” because he talked to his imaginary version of Olivia. He was sent for psychiatric evaluation and diagnosed with depression. In therapy, the counsellor would ask about his biological mother, but all Malachi remembers of her is that she had long, blonde hair and often wore red lipstick. 

Malachi believes that the therapy did not help him because his brain doesn’t work like other people’s. He thinks that the Vizes hate him for what he did to Jamieson, though the irony is that he still considers Jamieson his father. His feelings for Jennifer are permanently soured because she tried to force Olivia to marry Xander.

One day, Olivia tells Malachi that she needs more space, rather than his resentment when she leaves the cabin to go to work or meet her friends. Malachi signs that he is possessive because he fears that Olivia will run away from him. Olivia replies that she will not but also wants to start fresh. She wants to go out on a date, something they’ve never done. Malachi finds the idea repellent. He tells Olivia that she wants him to be normal, but he is not. Olivia isn’t happy with his reply but drops the topic. Malachi can sense her unhappiness. He feels weighed down with an inexplicable fear.

As Olivia dresses to go to work at the courthouse as her mother’s assistant, Malachi clings to her, his arms wrapped around her. When she tells him that he is making her late for work with Jennifer, Malachi tenses. Olivia wonders to herself if Malachi fears that their parents will once again intrude and worries that the fear may drive Malachi to violence. However, she knows that Malachi and their parents must eventually meet again because, as happy as she is with him, she also wants to be part of the larger world. When she conveys this to Malachi, he slowly speaks aloud, saying that the Vizes hate him, so meeting them is pointless.

Olivia thinks that this is far from the truth. Jamieson tried visiting Malachi in prison, but Malachi refused to see him. Jamieson also got weekly reports on Malachi from the prison guards. Even Jennifer has given Malachi a monthly allowance on Jamieson’s insistence. Olivia wants to be able to talk to Malachi with their parents, as she thinks he needs help. He refuses to go to therapy appointments and take his medication regularly. Wanting to change things, Olivia again asks Malachi to go on a date. He says no once again.

Olivia is at her mother’s office when she gets another threatening text from Xander Raznikov, whom she has saved in her phone as “asshole.” Xander threatens to rip Olivia to pieces if she does not marry him. Olivia has not shown Xander’s alarming texts to Malachi because she is worried about what he will do. He might take her away or harm Xander, landing himself in prison again. Olivia decides to ask Jamieson how to handle Xander. Olivia hasn’t seen Jamieson since she fled her wedding. He now spends most of his time teaching Molly, her adopted sister. Olivia has grown close to Molly, who is now in high school and helps Jamieson with physiotherapy when Olivia is away.

Jennifer walks into the office, berating Olivia for missing work and staying away from Xander. She knows that Olivia is sleeping with Malachi but sees that relationship as having no future. The argument between Jennifer and Olivia escalates, with Olivia accusing Jennifer of grooming her for an abusive marriage since she was a child. She reminds Jennifer that she forced her to have sex with Adam and Parker when she was a minor, made her watch videos on performing oral sex to please her suitors, and monitored her weight. Jennifer may have rescued Olivia from an abusive situation but put her in another. The wedding contract with Xander even demands that she forego birth control so that she is trapped into unwanted pregnancies.

Jennifer counters that marrying into wealth is Olivia’s way to a secure existence, believing that the only reason why Olivia resists marrying Xander is because of Malachi’s influence. Olivia snaps that Jennifer is partly responsible for her closeness to Malachi: Every time Jennifer took away her choices as a teenager, she chose Malachi to assert her sense of self. As Jennifer pales at the words, Olivia walks out. In her apartment, she yells in frustration.

Malachi is in speech therapy with Dr. Preston. He wishes that he were not there but recognizes that Preston is kind. Though Malachi can hear complex words very clearly in his mind, he has trouble forcing them out. He feels embarrassed when Preston asks him to read out lines. Preston suggests that Malachi try reading out a bedtime story to his child or partner. The mention of a partner makes Malachi think of Olivia. She is his girlfriend now, which makes him very happy, but he worries that she will be taken from him. Malachi also regrets the breakup of the Vize family. Once, he had loving parents and a safe home, but now everything is gone.

Preston asks whether Malachi has any friends, and Malachi grows resentful. He has intrusive thoughts of kidnapping Preston but forces himself to stop. The session ends, and Malachi texts Olivia. When she doesn’t reply for hours, he goes to her office. Instead of Olivia, he runs into Jennifer.

Jennifer is shocked that Malachi would dare show up at Olivia’s workplace. Despite himself, he is hurt by his mother’s disdain. She slaps Malachi for making Olivia’s life difficult and tells him that he is the reason why Olivia left the office in tears. 

Malachi realizes that Olivia may be at her apartment and races there. He finds her hyperventilating on her bed. She tells Malachi that she is afraid that she will be forced to marry Xander and lose him. Malachi gets in bed with her and hugs her, fantasizing about killing Jennifer. When Olivia begs him to stop her panic attack, Malachi engages in mutual oral sex with her. They orgasm, and Olivia falls asleep. Malachi can sense Olivia’s sadness.